"What I always wanted was to feel comfortable, to feel good about everything. What I'm thinking of are those old teams of Fener, Efes, CSKA with [Sasha] Kaun and [Victor] Khryapa, which maintained a core trunk for many years. Or Olympiacos of Spanoulis which had its constants. Or Panathinaikos earlier," Punter said.
"One wonders how teams succeed over time. That's how they succeed. Through the experience - at the highest level - of the core. Growing up I want to be in a good team, stay with the same teammates for three-four years. It's important. You keep building, you don't start from scratch. You are stepping on… foundations. All the successful teams over the years did that."
The ties for Punter and some of the players go even deeper. Punter and LeDay were teammates already in 2020-21, when they helped EA7 Emporio Armani Milan reach the Final Four. And they have a very close relationship off the court, too.
While the returning core and the passionate Belgrade fans were factors in Punter and LeDay signing new deals with Partizan, a chief reason was Coach Obradovic.
"Zeliko's presence played an important role in my decision to stay. We have already built something. He improved me, I played under his instructions in the Euroleague. I am the captain and it is without a doubt part of my decision," Punter said.
"I've been playing for him for two years and we'll be working together for another two. He demands a lot, he requires you to be great. When they ask me what Zeliko is like, the first thing I say is that he is a fantastic person. He is terribly humble, completely modest despite his achievements, his titles. And he tries to make you better all the time. He works to become better himself, he wants to keep improving."
Partizan sporting director Zoran Savic still has his work cut out if the team is to repeat last season’s success. Lessort has already penned a deal with Panathinaikos Athens and Exum is reportedly heading overseas. James Nunnally remains a free agent.
The direction that Partizan will take to fill those spots is as of yet unknown, but having Punter and LeDay back not only puts the team back on track, but gives other potential high-profile options the knowledge that this team has set its sights high and has a lot of key pieces in place to take a shot at the crown.